Early voting turnout in Jack County was more than double for this midterm election compared to the 2014 numbers.

Jack County Clerk Vanessa James said there were 1,671 who cast their ballots early this year compared to 690 in 2014.

“Those numbers don’t include paper ballots and we mailed out about 200 of those this year,” James said, Monday afternoon.

Although the early turnout for a midterm is good, it is still more than 400 voters shy of those who voted early in the 2016 presidential election. James said more than 2,100 voted prior to election day two years ago during the November election.

She hopes Election Day does not require long waits for Jack County voters.

“Nearly every machine I have is out. I can’t use the ones used for early voting and I keep two back just in case,” she said.

But James said she thinks with greater numbers voting early, people should be able to get in and out to cast their ballots.

“Used to everybody waited until Election Day in Jack County; it seems like 2016 was the change on that,” she said.

As of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, James reported that 705 people had voted with the majority, 232, at the courthouse. Perrin had the second most with 199. The fair barn saw the fewest so far with 73.

A steady stream of voters was casting ballots but there was a minimal wait time shortly before 5 p.m.

The election will determine the race between Republican Ted Cruz and Democrat Beto O’Rourke for U.S. Senate as well as state seats for governor, lieutenant governor, ag commissioner, land commissioner and more.

The only contested local race in Jack County is for a seat on the Jack County Hospital District Board. Incumbent Lori McBrayer is challenged by Joe Logan.